Hands-on: Nikon J1 mirrorless camera

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Today Nikon finally unveiled their first interchangeable lens, mirrorless cameras. After years of waiting for Nikon (and Canon for that matter) to jump on the mirrorless bandwagon it finally happened with the J1 / V1 cameras and the Nikon 1 system. In addition to the cameras and the new lens system, four lenses were announced as well.

As with any camera release there are specs aplenty, but the keys details are as follows: These are both hobbyist level cameras, with the V1 being the more advanced of the two. The J1 kit will sell for $650 while the V1 kit will be $900, as of October 20th. The kit lens will be a 10-30mm, which equates to 27mm – 81mm considering a crop factor of 2.7. Both cameras shoot at 10.1MP and use what Nikon is calling their CX-format, basically a sensor that is smaller than Micro 4/3rds and Sony’s APS-C but larger than that on the Pentax Q (or a standard point-and-shoot for that matter). High-tech features include a dual-core image processor, motion snapshots that combine video and a still into one cinematic clip, 10 fps continuous shooting, 1080p video (60i or 30p), and a smart photo selector that can take up to 30 shots and pick out the five best for you.

While the J1 and the V1 are quite similar, there are differences between the two. The $900 V1 has a built-in electronic viewfinder, a mechanical shutter, a magnesium body, and an accessory port. The port can be converted to work with a hot shoe, or it can work natively with a speedlight (the SB-N5) or a GPS module (the GP-N100). And for you Nikon diehards, the F mount adapter (the FT-1) is not available yet but it’s coming “in the future”.

I didn’t spend too much time with the J1 (under an hour) and I spent just a few minutes with the V1 but I had the time to form some opinions. The cameras have a nice feel to them and each is a reasonable size. Neither is pocketable — and the V1 is a bit larger than the J1 — but the important detail to note is that the lenses are small as well. This is one of the main reasons why Nikon went with what many people would consider a disappointing sensor size — a small sensor allows for small lenses and ultimately a balanced camera. Sony, for example, crammed a comparatively large sensor in the NEX cameras but requires a giant lens on an otherwise compact body.

As far as controls and handling goes, the J1/V1 reminded me a lot of the Olympus E-PL3. That is to say they are compact, but have the features you need to get the job done, including a rear dial and a large display. Both cameras have slick, handsome exteriors that look great but aren’t particularly comfortable to hold. On-camera controls are simple and easy to follow, while the digital (LCD-based) controls were surprisingly quick. The LCDs are fixed and neither angle nor swivel.

The camera feels well built, though quite consumer-y. The V1 is a bit larger and has a nicer body, but throws in the accessory port and the EVF, which some buyers will insist on. The EVF worked well, though even at 1.4M pixels it didn’t strike me as the most impressive out there. The lenses that I tried had nice movement to them and metal mounts, but the coated plastic and rubber grips made them feel a bit cheap. They worked very well, with quick, smooth focusing, but I’m always suspicious of new lens systems and this one is no different. It is nice to see that the lenses are collapsible though.

Nikon V1 with Speedlight

Choosing between the two models puts a hefty amount ($250) at stake and while I appreciate the perks of the V1, most users will probably be better served with the J1. The accessory port and mechanical shutter are both nice add-ins but you’re really paying for that EVF, something which is probably only worth it to people who already own DSLRs.

I can’t say much about shooting with the camera given my brief experience, but focusing was generally quick and the colors seem nice enough. I definitely missed a few shots and I wasn’t thrilled with the white balance, but I didn’t have enough time to test thoroughly. All the images below were shot with a production J1 (the V1 was pre-production).

Wrapping Up

Overall, the J1 and V1 seem like a conservative release for a company that could have gotten aggressive and made up a lot of ground in the mirrorless category. They seem to be fine cameras when in-hand, but both are lacking on paper when compared to other offerings, especially Sony’s newest gear. I would have liked to see Nikon step up their game a bit more (though some of the more technical features are interesting) and have the F mount adapter available on day one. This would have better connected Nikon’s incredibly legacy with their foray into the land of mirrorlessness.

My initial impressions don’t lead me to believe that Nikon has a class leader here. I’m sure the 1 system will be a competitive offering from a name everyone trusts but I’ll reserve judgement until testing these cameras more.